CV and Respiratory Investigation Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is emphysema
what happens, what does it result in
walls of alveoli lose elasticity due to damage alveolar walls
- lungs are constantly inflated -> exhalation isn’t anymore passive
- alveolar walls are often replaced with fiberous tissue -> these may break down
results in:
- inadequate surface area for gas exchange (inflation)
- difficulty ventilating in lungs
Emphysema causes
- occupational exposures: people who work in a situation with a lot of dust, fumes and other irritants
- smoking
- high air pollution in big cities
Emphysema symptoms
4
- shortness of breath
- persistent cough
- wheezing
- muscle weakness
Emphysema treatments
4
no cure
- bronchodilators inhalers -> relax muscles around airways
- oxygen therapy
- steriods -> reduce inflammation
- surgery (like lung transplant for severe cases)
What is lung cancer
involves the development of a mass of cells that divides in an uncontrolled way (tumour)
- usually begins in walls of air passages (bronchi usually)
- excessive production of mucus -> inhaled irritants irritate mucus membrane lining air passages
- cells at base of the membrane begin to divide more rapidly
- mucus cannot be removed -> alveoli ruptures
Lung cancer causes
3
- exposure to asbestos fibres and other pollutants
- some chemical substances initiate cancerous growth, others promote it (tobacco does both)
- air pollution
Lung cancer symptoms
5
- persistent cough
- coughing up blood or mucus
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- wheezing
Lung cancer treatments
5
- surgery - remove tumour
- radiation therapy - high energy rays kill cells
- chemotherapy - uses drugs to kill cancer cells
- targeted therapy - drugs target specific molecules in a cancer cell
- immunotherapy - medicines that help body’s immune system fight cancer cells
What is asthma
a medical condition that causes difficulty breathing due to a narrowing of airways
- smooth muscles contract
- inflammation -> lining thickens and narrows diameter
- mucus fills airway bc of irritation of mucus membrane
Asthma causes
6: 3 allergic, 3 non-allergic
- dust mites
- mould
- pollen
- excercise
- smoking
- cold weather
Asthma symptoms
5
- wheezing
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- tight chest
- breathlessness
Asthma treatments
3
- inhalers -> relax airways
- neubilisers
- certain meds (prednisolone) for severe
- allergy shots for allergic reactions
How does obesity affect the heart
It puts extra strain to the heart
How does unhealthy diet affect the heart
- contributes to plaque buildup
How does a high bp affect the heart
weakens the blood vessel walls
increases risk of plaque build-up and rupture
How does diabetes affect the heart
damages inner lining of blood vessels
increases chance of clots
How do smoking and excessive alcohol consumption affect the heart
- damage blood vessels
- increase bp
Why does the heart need its own blood vessels
heart muscles so thick that nutrients and oxygen inside heart wouldn’t be able to diffuse through all muscles quickly enough; so they need coronary arteries and heart veins
Describe coronary artery disease
blockage (blood clots - thrombosis) of cornoary arteries
- Choleserol deposits form a plaque
- narrower lumen of artery
- increases blood pressure
- wall of artery is stiffer
-plaque can rupture
- blood clots can form -> if one breaks away, it may get stuck in smaller blood vessel and stop blood from coming though
Coronary heart disease cause
5
- smoking cigarettes
- diet
- obesity
- stress
- genes
Coronary heart disease symptoms
5
- chest pain
- heart palpitations
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- dizziness or lightheadedness
bc lack of oxygen to heart
Coronary heart disease treatments
4
- statins -> lower cholesterol levels
- antiplatelet meds -> reduce risk of blood clot
- weight management -> reduces strain on heart
- angioplasty
- surgery - coronary artery bypass graft (reroutes blood flow around blocked arteries)
Materials transported by plasma
5
water
dissolved substances -> nutrients and gases
- vital for cell function, cellular respiration and gas exchange
- Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
- important ions
hormones
- e.g. insulin, adrenaline, thyroid hormones
- regulate body processes like metabolism, growth, stress response
antibodies
- protect body from infections and diseases
wastes
- urea, creatine and uric acid
Materials transported by erythrocytes
2
oxygen -> cellular respiration
carbon dioxide -> removal of waste
